Philippians 4:19

I think it's safe to speak for many when I say that sometimes military families just want to feel "normal". We want to get involved in the community, pretend we'll be here forever (that is, if we like it), and blend in. But due to the obvious, that's hard. Hard, because it's also very important to some to feel supported and understood in how our daily life operates. Not every non-military person understands or agrees with my reasons for not working right now; few fellow military spouses will question it. On top of that, so many non-military people try to "understand", but rather than simply listening, their way of "understanding" is attempting to identify in ways they just can't. Unless it is carefully said and appropriately applied, "oh, everyone goes through something like that" does not often make me feel less different from a non-mil person; it only minimizes my feelings, as well-intentioned as it may be. To be clear, this does not only pertain to the challenges but also the privileges of our unique lives. Such a communicative divide creates an admittedly self-inflicted, but seemingly unavoidable in-group, out-group situation, an "us and them" sort of relationship with everyone. Sometimes you prefer "us" for identification and support, and sometimes you want "them" to help you feel like you're still appreciated by--and part of--the rest of the world.

And yet...

Last Friday I helped decorate the church for Christmas. Have I expressed how WONDERFUL the people are there?! My first week in town a nice family at church invited me to Thanksgiving because they heard I'd be alone. And while decking the halls, another amazing woman I'm getting to know (we'll call her Jenny) showed me that while there are sometimes clearly-drawn lines between mil and non-mil, the right kind of friendships can transcend those lines and make one feel totally appreciated, understood, and valued-- independent of the labels.
Jenny had military friends who do the exact same job Eric does, but she still wanted to hear about our experience. She did not once claim to "get it" or say that she "totally understands", even though she has heard the same story several times before. She showed such genuine interest in our lifestyle, our first year of marriage, and how I personally am doing in this whole new world. This meant more to me than I could've known before our conversation started. I didn't even know I was needing that kind of personal attention! Most meaningful to me was that, while she acknowledged that Eric and I are a team, she made it clear that she specifically wanted to know how I was handling all the craziness of the past year. So often people focus on how cool the job is, all the incredible stuff and hard work that goes on in Eric's day-to-day, and simply forget that we are individuals as well. That the "support staff" has a life and interests and feelings that don't pertain to the Air Force bubble. That after all, while it may be more consuming than some, this is one person's career; there is another person involved and there are still many other facets to our life, just like that of anyone else. (Thankfully, my husband is most definitely not one of those people.) Don't get me wrong; I have, for the most part, enjoyed being Eric's answering service and main source of Eric-related updates (hey, I'm very proud of him, too!), but it was incredibly refreshing to have someone ask about me. Maybe this all sounds quite selfish, but even Eric notices people's lack of awareness where I'm concerned. He's often hyper-aware of keeping conversation on "us" and not just "him" when catching up with old friends and extended family. He did not even like that his graduation picture is on our Christmas card this year! I told him he was being ridiculous. :) (Did I mention how blessed I am to have such a considerate, tuned-in teammate?!)

By the end of our conversation, it was clear to Jenny and I that our impromptu girl-talk was definitely "a God thing". And oh, how awesome it was to randomly connect with another Christian woman like that!! She and her husband invited Eric and I on a double-date to their favorite spots in Philly, and she offered to use her contacts to help me come up with creative ways to work and find fulfillment outside of the conventional 9-5. Jenny was God's way of showing me that He is paying attention, He knows what I need, and He will provide. Friends, jobs, contentment, value-- He's got it all covered. I left feeling a little ashamed of my lacking faith and grateful for yet more grace and for a wonderful new friend. Through Jenny, God showed me that while we all have differences, the labels are optional and the lines are drawn in pencil. And He is capable of removing both.

All I Want For Christmas...

The tree is up, the house is decorated (and nearing completely unpacked status!), and the Christmas season is in full swing. There's a lot to look forward to this year, too. Tomorrow is the squadron Christmas party--our first ever "real Air Force" function! (After a year in the transient training world, it's exciting to be included in the "Permanent Party Club".)  

We're also really looking forward to going home for Christmas, even if only for two days. (Yea, two. Not including the 24 hours of driving involved. We might be insane.) We love our new home, our new town, etc., but not having established relationships here yet makes the the idea of spending the holidays with family even more exciting.

I think everyone struggles with something, especially after a big move. For some, it's getting organized or lacking routine; for others, it's finding purpose in a new place. For me, it's establishing relationships. Okay, maybe I struggle with all of those things, but relationships are the hardest. Much unlike my social butterfly pilot (who also has a built-in social network of sorts), I'm terrible at it. I always have been. (If you haven't caught the hint, this is about to get very vulnerable; there, you've been warned.) Despite what many people perceive, I am extremely self-conscious and socially insecure. Especially when it comes to making girl friends. I want to have friends who understand me, who enjoy spending time with me, who come to me when they need someone to talk to. And I hate being new, so I want these BFFs right away. But in all of my "please get me!" nervousness, I go about earning this comradery by talking too much, sharing too soon, and totally freaking people out (or so it seems). Once I'm good and misunderstood, I proceed to guess the impression I made and analyze every social interaction ad nauseum until I am even more unsure of my likeability and no closer to having friends. Ugh; it's exhausting. All this lonely new kid business makes me so thankful for my family, my deep friendship with my husband and for the few close friends God has blessed me with. Not only do I value those relationships so much, but they also help me to know that, despite what I assume others' initial opinions of me may suggest, I actually do have a lot to offer a friend. (See, I told you I over-analyze.)
Dear Santa, I will practice not being a socially awkward weirdo if you will please bring me some friends for Christmas. Preferably ones who don't put all their eggs in the first impression basket; I sometimes need lots of do-overs.

Life 101: Growing Pains and the Pursuit of Happiness

Well, we're all moved in! The new place is beautiful, and after a year in Del Rio I'm still in a bit of shock over how much shopping is less than five miles from our front door! HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, clothing stores, and Starbucks! Mmmm, Vanilla Rooibos lattes. Needless to say, I may need to find a job sooner than later...

 

As Eric has been away since the beginning of the month, I've spent most of my time organizing and unpacking. (He left 5 days after move-in!) I can't wait to have him back so we can explore the area together. So far, I've found a great church, connected with the spouses group, and can navigate to all the essentials sans GPS. With amazing farmer's markets, outlet malls (with tax-free clothing shopping in NJ!!), Space A trips to Europe, and Philadelphia and NYC easily accessible, the next three years are guaranteed to hold a lot of fun! 

With all the excitement of change, however, comes a healthy dose of stress. After a crazy couple months that included the end of UPT, graduation, and moving, Eric had to find the extra energy and stamina for a month of 'round-the-clock intense training in WA. I have had to unpack, get organized, and do all the ancillary tasks involved in establishing our life here on my own. Ah, the military life! For me, the magnitude of it all is starting to sink in. I'm sure several years and several moves from now my reaction to such chaos will more closely resemble that of the "all-in-a-day's-work" variety. As I experience more, I truly do admire the seasoned military wives who make these and more difficult adjustments so gracefully--and they do so with kids! For me, and for now, I've allowed myself to be overwhelmed for a minute. As someone who likes to be the best at everything I do, it has taken me a moment to be okay with not feeling 100% awesome and emotionally on top of it through all of the madness; I'd rather just handle it like someone who's done it 12 times already. The reality is I am inexperienced, so no one (but myself) is expecting me to handle it like a pro (and if they are, well, sorry to disappoint). Allowing myself to feel what I feel: Coping Skill #1.  Exercise--Coping Skill #2. Whether it's the endorphins, or the complete, mind-clearing focus on physical exertion, working out really helps me feel like I can tackle the day with a positive, motivated attitude. Aside from the obvious health benefits, the improved body image is a nice bonus, too. Writing-- Coping Skill #3. Indulgent? Maybe; you decide. Helpful? Yep. So, if you're bored, feel free to stop reading.

Things I've learned in the last month: 

-- Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. (Not that I wasn't quite fond before.)

-- We have too much stuff. (I can't imagine what adding kids will be like...)

-- I really don't like hanging things. (Thank goodness I have a handy husband.)

-- Beginnings are hard (but not impossible).

I've also learned--or more accurately, I'm still learning--where personal happiness comes from. And am I ever thankful I'm learning this one early! As a newlywed, it's easy and comfortable and oh-so-seemingly-romantic to wrap oneself up in her spouse, putting him at the top of her world. And to a certain extent it's pretty natural, and certainly common. Furthermore, for most, this can go on until one or both parties falls from Newlywed Cloud Nine and into what the marital vets call Life After The Honeymoon Phase.  Not so in the military marriage; the lifestyle often requires that said pedestal-ed spouse be temporarily removed from your everyday existence. Before you have a chance to fall from newlywed heaven. Immediately after moving to a new town. Buh-bye, excitement/happiness/insert-positive-emotion-here. (Note: This is not to say that non-mil couples don't grow out of the "you complete me, you are my whole world" phase. I'm merely suggesting that this particular lesson is one that I would guess a lot of military couples learn earlier as a result of the chosen lifestyle.) Through this I'm learning that my husband, while I may feel him deserving of it, cannot be my #1. It should not and cannot be his responsibility to be the be-all, end-all of my daily life; can you say pressure?! While I've logically understood it for quite a long time, I've just begun feeling the necessity for God to be in that position in order to experience the contentedness, joy, and stress-free warm fuzzies that I enjoy in my husband's company. I will even go so far as to say that I thought I was putting God first--only to have it revealed to me that this is, in fact, not the case. To be clear: While I'm genuinely thankful for the opportunity to grow, I do not like this revelation. I do not like it at all. In all of our cutesy marital bliss, it is a total buzz-kill to take my unyielding focus off of Eric and hold him second to He who cannot hold my hand or kiss me goodnight. But alas, this is what is expected of me as a believer. It is hard, and it is definitely not an overnight shift. Which brings me to the next life lesson: how do I go about growing spiritually when I don't necessarily want to grow in that area, but know I need to? (Because let's be real, initially we like where we are better sometimes. I like putting Eric first; it's easy. And for right now, it's as fulfilling as I know "fulfilling" to be in some ways.) I've found the answer through a comment in passing made by a fellow military spouse I admire very much. Coincidentally, it's the same bit of biting wisdom my mom used to offer when I complained that I didn't like to do a particular chore: "Lucky for you, 'liking' it isn't a requirement; you don't have to like it, you just have to do it." Said another way, don't wait for emotions to motivate action; rather, take action to motivate emotion. Now I know there's some psychological study somewhere that discusses which of the two actually comes first, action or emotion. Regardless, in this case, I believe the following statement to be true: when you do what you know you're supposed to do, you'll eventually feel the way you're supposed to feel. I've lost count of how many life factors to which this truth applies--exercise, relationships, eating right, spiritual growth-- and yet, it's pervasiveness doesn't necessarily make it easier to implement. Thank God for prayer.

Along with all of this really heavy--valuable, but heavy--stuff, there are a few upsides to TDYs and deployments.  First, the opportunity to grow as an individual. When you're left with only yourself all day, everyday, there's a lot of time to explore areas to improve and there is no one around to use as a distraction or an excuse. This can mean deep personal growth (see above) or simply seeking out a new hobby or passion. The latter is often initially motivated by the desire to keep busy while the hubby is away, but can end up serving the immediate personal purposes while adding a lot to the relationship later, as well. Case in point: I've really enjoyed making up new recipes, but want to learn more, so we're taking up cooking lessons! Also, it seems that TDYs and deployments come at just the right time. You know, that week that you're just irked by every little stupid thing: he forgot to take the garbage out again, he's chewing too loudly, you really do not want to watch the Military channel or the History channel. Just as you're getting on each others' nerves, poof! He's gone, and suddenly it's like you're in a long-distance dating relationship again! You can't seem to talk to each other enough, you're flirty and lovey and sweet on the phone, and there's the promise of an uber-romantic date night immediately upon his return. Yep, definitely looking forward to that date...and I kinda miss the loud chewing, too.  :)

Sweet Home, New Jersey!

We're heeeeeeere!!
We left Del Rio in our 26' moving truck with our car in tow on Friday, Oct. 8th. We spent Saturday with my mom, aunt and uncle, and the infamous Papaw in Forth Worth. Papaw took us to all of his favorite honky tonks in the Fort Worth Stockyards, and we two-stepped all night long....which made for a slow start on Sunday! We hit the road around 9:30am Sunday, determined to make it all the way to Michigan in one stretch. At about 8:30am, we rolled into Vicksburg so. incredibly. exhausted. After sleeping away most of the morning, we made our most anticipated stop of all--the cider mill! The rest of the week was spent eating delicious home-cooked meals and relaxing with our families. We also surprised my little sister at her volleyball game; the look on her face was priceless!! The greatest part about being back in Michigan--aside from spending time with our family and friends, of course--was discovering our appreciation for our beautiful state. Coming from Texas, we had forgotten how colorful and bright Michigan is, especially in the fall. It truly was the perfect time to visit; the leaves were gorgeous, the sun was shining, and the cool air was so refreshing after spending over a year under the hot blow-dryer that is a Texas "breeze". (Pictures of this portion of the trip will be up as soon as we get moved in!)

On the 16th, we had our belated wedding reception. I can't express enough how grateful we are to have had the opportunity to visit with all of the important people in our lives. We commented on our way out the next morning (which was another slow start!!) how we wished we could have had more time with each and every one of you. It was such a fun evening, with dancing, wonderful food, and great friends from so many places and times in our lives. And our parents deserve a huge thank you for all the work they put into throwing this party on some fairly short notice. We're lucky kids. :) (Look at some of the pictures from the party by clicking on "our photos" at the top right of the page! More to come...)

Sunday afternoon we hit the road again, tired but happy. Once again, we pushed through the night, arriving at McGuire a little after 5am. Whew...one all-nighter in one week is not so bad, but two?! I think I'm still recovering. We slept for a few hours before Eric had to get up for work and we had to find a place to live! After a couple days of trying to get a house on McGuire, we decided to look off base. We are so glad we did!! I found a house online when we first found out we were moving to McGuire, and I was in LOVE with it. When it came time to make appointments to see houses, however, it had disappeared. Three days ago, it magically popped up again in a random search I did, and I called the realtor. We saw the house that night, and we both loved it as much as I thought we might. I can't wait to post pictures once we're moved in! It's a nice townhome in a beautiful neighborhood near lots of shopping and restaurants. Also, no one in this area lets you have a pet when you rent, but the homeowner said he may allow it, depending on the breed. Yay! We're scheduled to move in on or before November 1st. Until then, we're in a very nice one bedroom apartment on base. Eric gets up and goes to work everyday and I apply for jobs. Once we move off base, we're going to have to get a second car very soon, so we're praying for the funds and the right opportunity to buy.

As far as the area goes, it is beautiful. Much like our corner of Michigan, there are lots of green fields and farms, beautiful trees, farmer's markets, pumpkin patches, and cider mills. The towns are about 25-30 minutes from base, and they are small and quaint until you get closer to Philadelphia. From what we can tell, the town we will be living in seems to be kind of like Portage with a lot more shopping. It is halfway between the base and Philly. It also neighbors Moorestown, Money Magazine's #1 place to live in 2005. Moorestown is home to lots of the Philadelphia sports stars, an adorable little downtown area, and a cool church we are going to check out this Sunday. There's also an awesome miniature golf place down the street from our house; we love mini golf for a cheap date night!! :)


Eric will be going to SERE and water survival in early November and he'll begin his training on what I like to call "the new mistress" in early December. (The old mistress was the motorcycle, the KC-10 has taken it's place.) He's like a 5 year-old every time they fly over us while we're driving on base. Hilarious! Next week he'll go up in the plane for the first time to watch all that goes on. I'm sure there will be stories! He is LOVING his new squadron. He comes home with new toys every day--flashlights, patches, boots, goggles, a silly-looking desert hat, all kinds of stuff! He tries it all on for me, of course. He brought me a new toy the other day, though--a Garmin! It's been pretty helpful in finding my way around the area, but I've discovered you still have to know a thing or two; that lady loves toll roads and scenic routes.

*I've set up a photo website for easier viewing of more pictures. In the top right corner of the blog, there's a link under "SEE PICTURES". That site will be updated almost as often as the blog, so after reading a new entry you can see the pictures  and videos from the fun events you've just read about!

Logical Understanding Meets TRUE Understanding

We received orders yesterday; let the madness begin. Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY excited. Excited to move nearer to family. Excited to settle somewhere for longer than a year. Excited to see Eric start doing what he's been training to do for the last 13 months. I'm also outrageously overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the thought of packing my entire house and leaving by Oct. 12. Overwhelmed that we don't have a place to live in Jersey. Overwhelmed that, amidst all of this excitement, there's MORE--family will be here tomorrow to celebrate graduation. Yep, while my house is half-packed and my brain is half-fried by mental to-do lists a mile long.

But never fear, after years of waiting for me to figure it out myself, God gave me a swift kick in the pants this morning at Bible study.

Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.... Ephesians 3:20-21

I first studied Ephesians 3:20-21 at the Iowa Youth Connection convention when I was in high school. The teaching was incredible and relevant and inspiring. Consequently, it's been my favorite verse since then. I loved the thought of God being able to do more than anything I could even wrap my mind around. To think that His plan for my life is so big that it wouldn't even fit in my head excited me. And the best part: not only CAN He do it, He is WILLING to...for me! That said, I realized this morning that I still unwittingly respond to God the same way the four-year-old me responded to my mom when she would offer to tie my shoes: "I do it myself!"

In short, as I contentedly listened to Priscilla Shirer talk about what I (before this morning) proudly referred to as my "all-time favorite verse", I reflected on how much time has passed since I first heard this verse and how amazing it is that it's still the one that speaks loudest to me. And two seconds after that I thought, wait a second, ...that's kinda pathetic! I immediately got a mental image of God laying Ephesians 3:20 on my heart at 14 years old and-- fast-forward 9 years-- banging His head against the wall because I still have yet to do anything with it. Therein lies my epiphany: God made that verse stick out to me at 14 for a reason! Shouldn't I have learned a lesson from it and moved on to another "all-time favorite verse" by now? I have marveled over God's power, His limitless love, His plan that is "exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think" for years. The realization of those truths moves me. I get that He is able. I get that He is willing. I get it. Logically, that is. But what about spiritually? I can wrap my mind around the fact that I can't wrap my mind around God's giant, amazing, perfect plan for me...but have I wrapped my heart around it? Have I truly internalized the fact that God is wanting, WAITING, to do "exceedingly, abundantly beyond..." for me? Clearly not, because here I am ripping my hair out at the thought of house-hunting and cleaning and packing and entertaining all at the same time; I haven't even thought to ask for something as simple as stress-relief, let alone a grand life plan. I'm humbled (and slightly ashamed) by my lacking faith in a season of life when I need it more than usual. How can I expect to receive the blessings God has in store for me-- the career paths, the relationships, the joy and security found only in His love-- if I can't even confidently hand Him my cardboard boxes and packing tape and ask him to make the way to New Jersey smooth?

It's amazing to me how many times we must fail at trying to do so much on our own before we truly hear God's standing offer to help and finally take him up on it. Sometimes it's a matter of not wanting to bother Him with the little things; we don't want to exhaust His almighty power with silly business...but get this! The book of Genesis tells us that God simply spoke the world into existence. But in Ephesians 3:20, Paul uses the Greek word "dutimous" to refer to God's power, meaning explosive or dynamic. THAT is "the power that is at work within us"-- explosive, dynamic power. Where am I going with this? God merely talked to form the world...but He has dynamite power ready for you and I to tap into at any time. ANY time. For ANYthing. Power to pack boxes. Power to enjoy the moment despite that to-do list. Do you get it? God has given us more of His power and energy than He Himself exerted in creating the entire world. Further than that, He expects us to use it, all the time. He numbered the hairs on our heads, people (Matthew 10:30)--every little thing that concerns us, concerns God, too. This morning I FINALLY got it through my thick, stubborn head: my packing isn't too insignificant for God. Neither is my fear that I'll let stress overtake what should be a wonderful weekend with family. He cares about these things because I care about these things, and He will use that dynamite power to bust through all of these obstacles as soon as I ask. So I'm going to go do that...and while I'm at it I think it's about time I apologize for His wicked headache.

Military Spouses

I found this great essay from Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul. While I can't yet totally identify with everything the story says, I'm mentally preparing myself for the very near future when I will live every word of it. Many people who have little or no familiarity with the military don't know that it truly is more than the sacrifices of one person, but the sacrifices of a whole family, that allow us the freedoms we take for granted. (I know I didn't fully understand that before...) My respect for military families grows deeper and deeper as I meet more and more fellow spouses with years of "military life" experience. I couldn't be prouder to live this lifestyle and support my husband alongside the other wonderful, strong military wives I've met in the last year. Whether it's the constant moving or the necessity for flexibility at all times or the knowledge that your daily life is lived in service of something bigger than yourself, there really is something special about a military spouse. I hope I can live up to the title.

It was just another harried Wednesday afternoon trip to the commissary (grocery store on military bases). My husband was off teaching young men to fly. My daughters were going about their daily activities knowing I would return to them at the appointed time, bearing, among other things, their favorite fruit snacks, frozen pizza, and all the little extras that never had to be written down on a grocery list. My grocery list, by the way, was in my 16-month-old daughter's mouth, and I was lamenting the fact that the next four aisles of needed items would wait while extracting the last of my list from my daughter's mouth, when I nearly ran over an old man.

This man clearly had no appreciation for the fact that I had 45 minutes left to finish the grocery shopping, pick up my 4-year old from tumbling class, and get to school, where my 12-year-old and her carpool mates would be waiting.


I knew men didn't belong in a commissary, and this old guy was no exception. He stood in front of the soap selection staring blankly, as if he'd never had to choose a bar of soap in his life. I was ready to bark an order at him when I realized there was a tear on his face.


Instantly, this grocery aisle roadblock transformed into a human..."Can I help you find something?" I asked. He hesitated, and then told me he was looking for soap.

"Any one in particular?" I continued.

"Well, I'm trying to find my wife's brand of soap." I started to loan him my cell phone to call her when he said, "She died a year ago, and I just want to smell her again."

Chills ran down my spine. I don't think the 22,000-pound Mother of all Bombs could have had the same impact. As tears welled up in my eyes, my half-eaten grocery list didn't seem so important. Neither did fruit snacks or frozen pizza.

I spent the remainder of my time in the commissary that day listening to a man tell the story of how important his wife was to him -- how she took care of their children while he served our country. A retired, decorated World War II pilot who flew missions to protect Americans still needed the protection of a woman who served him at home.


My life was forever changed that day. Every time my husband works too late or leaves before the crack of dawn, I try to remember the sense of importance I felt that day in the commissary.


Some times the monotony of laundry, housecleaning, grocery shopping, and taxi driving leaves military wives feeling empty -- the kind of emptiness that is rarely fulfilled when our husbands come home and don't want to or can't talk about work.


We need to be reminded, at times; of the important role we fill for our family and for our country. Over the years, I've talked a lot about military spouses...how special they are and the price they pay for freedom too. The funny thing is; most military spouses don't consider themselves different from other spouses. They do what they have to do, bound together not by blood or merely friendship, but with a shared spirit whose origin is in the very essence of what love truly is. Is there truly a difference? I think there is. You have to decide for yourself...


Other spouses get married and look forward to building equity in a home and putting down family roots. Military spouses get married and know they'll live in base housing or rent, and their roots must be short so they can be transplanted frequently.


Other spouses decorate a home with flair and personality that will last a lifetime. Military spouses decorate a home with flare tempered with the knowledge that no two base houses have the same size windows or same size rooms.


Curtains have to be flexible and multiple sets are a plus. Furniture must fit like puzzle pieces.


Other spouses have living rooms that are immaculate and seldom used. Military spouses have immaculate living room/dining room combos. The coffee table got a scratch or two moving from Germany, but it still looks pretty good.


Other spouses say goodbye to their spouse for a business trip and know they won't see them for a week. They are lonely, but can survive. Military spouses say good-bye to their deploying spouse and know they won't see them for months, or a year, or longer. They are lonely, but will survive.


Other spouses, when a washer hose blows off, call Maytag and then write a check out for having the hose reconnected. Military spouses have to cut the water off and fix it themselves.


Other spouses get used to saying "hello" to friends they see all the time. Military spouses get used to saying "goodbye" to friends made the last two years.


Other spouses worry about whether their child will be class president next year. Military spouses worry about whether their child will be accepted in yet another school next year and whether that school will be the worst in the city...again.


Other spouses can count on spouse participation in special events...birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, football games, graduation, and even the birth of a child. Military spouses only count on each other; because they realize that the flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. It has to be that way.


Other spouses put up yellow ribbons when the troops are imperiled across the globe and take them down when the troops come home. Military spouses wear yellow ribbons around their hearts and they never go away.


Other spouses worry about being late for mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Military spouses worry about getting back from Japan in time for dad's funeral.


The television program showing an elderly lady putting a card down in front of a long, black wall that has names on it touches other spouses. The card simply says, "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. You would have been sixty today." A military spouse is the lady with the card, and the wall is the Vietnam Memorial.


I would NEVER say military spouses are better than other spouses. But I will say there is a difference. I will say, without hesitation, that military spouses pay just as high a price for freedom as do their active duty husbands and wives.


Perhaps the price they pay is even higher. Dying in service to our country isn't near as hard as loving someone who has died in service to our country, and having to live without them.

God bless our military spouses for all they freely give.

Big Sexy

Dreams really do come true. We will be leaving sunny Del Rio, TX for a KC-10 at McGuire AFB in New Jersey!! First choice plane, first choice base.




We still have a lot to learn about the assignment and the plane (including WHEN we'll be leaving)..but here's what we know so far:
Plane: KC-10
Nicknames: Extender, Big Sexy, The Gucci Life
Pilot's nicknames: "Gucci boys"
Favorite Saying: "NKAWTG" (Nobody Kicks A** Without Tanker Gas!)
Size:
Length: 178.48ft (54.40m)
Width: 164.04ft (50.00m)
Height: 57.09ft (17.40m)
Empty Weight: 241,027lbs (109,328kg)
MTOW: 585,327lbs (265,500kg)

Performance:
Max Speed: 600mph (966kmh; 522kts)
Max Range: 4,369miles (7,032km)
Rate-of-Climb: 6,870ft/min (2,094m/min)
Service Ceiling: 41,755ft (12,727m; 7.9miles)


They call the 10 the "Gucci Life" because it is what the pilots like to call a "cushy" cockpit in a nice, large aircraft complete with a bathroom, kitchen, and sleeping quarters for multiple crews. We've heard that due to its size, it can't land in smaller (read: yucky, dangerous) places. This means that when they have to land somewhere they apparently go to places like Spain and stay in 5 star hotels. Rough, right? There are only 50-something of them in the Air Force inventory, so it's a small, tight-knit community. Another bonus? It has two bases-McGuire and Travis. McGuire is an hour or two from NYC, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, the Jersey Shore, Appalachian mountains, and Washington D.C. And of course, Jersey has FALL WEATHER!! Yeeehaw! Travis is in beautiful Northern California, right next to Napa Valley!

Drop Night was a blast; the jerseys turned out great!!




As you can imagine....Eric is THRILLED to be "passing gas"!!! (he's a pro already, ;) )

T-5 days and counting!

We are less than 5 days away from knowing what the next 4 years hold. As you can imagine, the anticipation is palpable. While we do care (A LOT) about what plane we get and where we go, we know that regardless of what we get, God has a plan for us. It's awesome to know that whether He uses our desires or whether He sends us down a road we never expected to travel, we will be in for an exciting adventure of His choosing. And you can't go wrong there! Ah! Sooo exciting!!! Eric has two flights left in all of pilot training--a co-pilot ride and a checkride-- and then he gets to sit back and enjoy the celebration. (And I get to enjoy having him around more often!)

To pass the seemingly ever-slowing time, there has been many a coffee date, social hour, etc. The other wives/fiancées/girlfriends and I decided to participate in the spirit of drop night by making shirts that go with the theme the guys have chosen. So tomorrow everyone will be gathering at my house to put our "Team 10-15" jerseys together. I'm excited to see how they turn out and to have such a presence at drop; there are 13 of us! (That's A LOT for one class--the most spouses/significant others we've seen in one class is 8, and average is probably 4 or 5.) I am most excited that, despite some of the social drama of the past year, we are ending on a high note and coming together to celebrate our guys and have fun. Enjoying everyone's company again has been refreshing.

Time-out: Are you wondering what "Drop Night" is??
Drop Night is epic. It is the grande finale of all finales. It is a room full of excited boys (and a few girls) in fire-proof green pajamas, poking fun at the silly mistakes their classmates made throughout UPT and (in true male fashion) tackling each other out of pure--or feigned--elation upon hearing their assignments, while T-6 students look on in jealousy and eagerness for their turn someday.
It *usually* goes like this: one by one, the guys in the graduating class are stood up in front of a room full of current UPT students, guys waiting to start UPT, IPs, friends, commanders, etc. One of the IPs from their flight (remember, "flight" is pilot-speak for "class" or "team") roasts them, telling funny stories about stupid stuff they did during pilot training or highlighting their quirky personalities. Then, they say something like, "Let's see where powder-white Butler will be running for shade next..." and flash a picture of the plane they will fly and a map with a dot on it to show the base they will be moving to-- "It's a KC-10!.....to McGuire!!!" The crowd cheers and screams. And Butler, jumping up and down with his beer in hand, is tackled by a herd of belligerent flightmates. Yes, this does require a refill; often the glass is left hanging in mid-air, depending on the enthusiasm of the tackle.
OUR drop, however, will be different from any drop we've seen. Instead of the standard, boy-chooses-plane model, our class has decided to run it like an NFL draft, where plane-chooses-boy, much like a football team chooses a player. So, everyone will be roasted one by one. Then, they'll flash a random plane up on the screen and say something like, "The KC-10 chooses...(picture changes to one of Eric)...Lt. Butler!" And he'll run up to the front, where his IP will have a "jersey" that has a silhouette of his plane on it and the number 10 on the back. The guys will have no idea which plane is going to "choose" them. It's going to be fuuuun, and very different for the crowd...

Needless to say, our life is consumed by Drop/Graduation right now. If you want in on the anticipation/excitement/fun, send me a message or a text or a phone call and I'll put you on the "must contact" list. This list of people will get (at the very least) a text message shortly after we find out what Eric will be flying and where we will be going. But please don't expect a play-by-play until at least the next day; Drop Night is loud and crazy and lasts into the night if you're the drop class. We'll definitely want to tell you all about it, but probably not on Friday!

Ok, time to be productive...pray for our assignment, and for a quick week!! :)

We're. Almost. There.

So, my posts are about to get really redundant, really fast. There, consider yourself warned.

We are approximately 16 days and 19 hours away from our destiny....but we're not really counting. We are so so so excited, and so so so ready to (hopefully) head somewhere much cooler than Del Rio. It's amazing how one can passionately despise clunky snow boots and car scrapers and thermometers that put (-) in front of the numbers for a whole 3 months...and after only one year in the fiery pits of He--I mean, Del Rio-- suddenly wish for it. And I don't mean the "I wish I had a pony" kind of wish....I mean, hang-up-fake-fall-leaves-and-buy-copious-amounts-of-pumpkin/apple orchard/cinnamon-scented-candles-kind of wish. This may suggest to you that I have way too much time on my hands. (Ok, so sometimes I do; don't judge.) HOWEVER. Eric has wholeheartedly jumped on my "take me somewhere cold" bandwagon. Truly, Anchorage, AK is sounding better and better with each sweaty day that passes. That said, should you we're happily accepting donations of fresh-pressed apple cider by the gallon in lieu of graduation gifts. ;)

Speaking of graduation--bring on the family! Ok, not yet, because I'm only sliiiightly stressed and a little intimidated by the thought of entertaining nine people in my home for the first time. And not just any nine people, but people whose opinions and impressions matter a LOT. Thankfully I've lived near the hostess extraordinaire (Grandma Jean) for the past year; hopefully she's rubbed off a little! We really are excited to have everyone here to see what we've been doing and where we've been living for the past year. Maybe they'll even get to try the taco stands!

After graduation, I will be going to see my friend Ashley in Cincinnati for 5 days (SO FUN!!!!), then hopping a train to Kalamazoo where Eric will join me and we'll spend a week with family. Alli just made the Hope College volleyball team, so we'll have the chance to see her play in their rivalry game against Calvin. I can't wait to see her new home and to watch her play!!! We'll also be having our wedding reception that weekend--finally! While our wedding was nothing less than a fairytale, the absence of our close friends and family friends was definitely felt, so we're so excited for the opportunity to celebrate with all of the important people in our lives!

Stay tuned...September 17 is the big day!!!


Birthday celebration in San Antonio: Paesano's, Swig, and shoe shopping :)

Just Kidding...

So, upon gleaning more information, Eric has decided that his second choice assignment is now his first choice assignment. And it sounds pretty firm (for now). Thankfully, this is also at the top of my list, too! :)


It's A KC-10, a gas station in the sky that also does cargo missions. There are two possible assignments for this aircraft, California and New Jersey.












We would be excited about living on either coast; we'll be able to make trips to Napa Valley from Travis, and trips to NYC or home from McGuire! It would be cool to experience the different lifestyles on each coast.



45 days till we find out!! :)

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

7 WEEKS till we know whether we will stay or go!

Waaaait...did she just say "STAY"?!! Yep, lately, Eric's most consistent answer to the "what's your favorite assignment" question is staying at Laughlin for a 4 year assignment as an instructor pilot for the T-1. This also happens to be the assignment that no one wants--shocking, really. Who wouldn't want to be in Del Rio for as long as possible? Sarcasm. In all honesty though, we have truly learned that attitude is everything no matter where you go, but it is especially important in a place like this. With open minds, we have found plenty of reasons to enjoy being on the border--not the least of which are the delicious taco stands! :) My working full-time in town and our involvement in our church have really allowed us to connect to the community outside of the Air Force bubble. The other day, before leaving for their next assignment, some of our good friends told us that no matter where the military takes you, or how those moves force you to adapt, your experience is determined by your attitude. They couldn't be more right, and what a perfect place to learn that lesson and learn it early. So, while we would both like to see more of the country (or world!), if God wants us in Del Rio to train new pilots for a while, we will embrace it. (And we certainly can't deny the fact that Eric would make a fabulous instructor...)

Over the past month, we've spent a romantic weekend in Fredericksburg, TX tasting wines, window shopping, and enjoying each others' undivided attention.





We've seen good friends realize their dreams, said good-bye to others, and made new ones. And we've made some necessary changes. For one, I have left my job for a new, part-time position at a fun boutique in town. It was a tough decision, as I loved my team and the students I worked with, but it is for the best. I'm looking forward to having more time to support Eric in the ways I was able when I wasn't working. While I felt fulfilled and purposeful working full-time, I realized just how much I value my role at home and I can't wait to have a little more of that back.

Looking ahead, my little sis is coming to visit this week! We are SO excited to have her--there's nothing like having family around, even for a short time. We plan to show her the planes Eric flies, hang out at the pool, and go to the Drop Night on Friday so she can see what we will get to experience in just 7 short weeks.

And, as promised, here's a few pictures of the amazing Ranch we visited last month:

Where is time going?!!

I've come to the conclusion that a lack of seasons makes it feel like time is standing still, when in fact it is flying by! We are 3 MONTHS away from finding out what the next several years will hold!! EEEK! Eric is loving the T-1 considerably more than the T-6, and he's starting to get a better idea of what possible heavy/tanker aircrafts he'd like to fly after graduation.



The past two months have been incredibly busy: I took a weekend trip back to Michigan to see my dad graduate from his MBA program at Notre Dame, we visited Grandma and Grandpa for Memorial Day, and we got to meet Eric's class sponsors and enjoy an incredible evening on their 10,000 acre hunting ranch that sits on the cliffs--and therefore has amazing views--of Lake Amistad. (Yea, beautiful places in Del Rio--who knew?!) We got a full tour, saw a few of their 15 different exotic species, including a Watusi cow, zebras, buffalo, and oryx. (Stay tuned--I'll post pictures soon.) The best part? The owners were born and raised in Paris, France! I know, totally unrelated to anything we were there for, but it was great to hear French being spoken after not using my own for so long! Hopefully we can arrange for our parents to see this place when they come for graduation--Eric and I both commented on how our dads would absolutely love it.

We're really looking forward to our trip to Fredricksburg, TX over July 4th weekend--what a welcome break from the daily grind that will be! We're also trying to save for a honeymoon, so we're tentatively making tropical paradise plans for November.


And I almost forgot...we got a NEW CAR! Yep, the Honda is no longer lonely in the driveway; she has a shiny 2009 Saturn Aura to share the burden of our travels with. :) We have radio, extra cold air conditioning (not that it's necessary in the 110 degree heat), and we love that we don't have to wear headsets to talk to each other anymore!

And of course, we celebrate Eric's quarter-century birthday yesterday--old man! :)

Clearly life is busy (or I'd be posting more!) but I'll do my best to keep y'all updated!

xoxo

Food Revolution

If you haven't seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution--you need to! It's on Fridays at 9/8c on ABC. He's fighting the tough battle of getting the processed, unhealthy foods out of schools and replacing them with nutritious, homemade school lunches. After the TV series is finished, Jamie and his team (one of the exec. producers being Ryan Seacrest) will be taking a petition to D.C. in hopes of waking the government up to this massive issue and demanding change. Take 2 seconds to sign the petition and fight childhood obesity. The show is awesome and Jamie's cause is worth supporting; this generation of children is the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Sad, right? Sure, the government budget is tight, but the health of our nation is crucial and worthy of being a priority. Right now healthy foods are far more expensive than processed junk--let's change that! Seriously though, at the very least, watch the show--it's inspiring!

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution

The Military Wife

Wanted to share this ....it is so truthful, and very touching...

Lots of moving... Moving... Moving... Moving far from home... Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course. Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house; Moving curtains that won't fit; Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours. Moving away from friends; Moving toward new friends; Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.
Often waiting... Waiting... Waiting... Waiting for housing. Waiting for orders. Waiting for deployments. Waiting for phone calls. Waiting for reunions. Waiting for the new curtains to arrive. Waiting for him to come home, For dinner...AGAIN!
They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better: She is fiercely In-Dependent.
She can balance a check book; Handle the yard work; Fix a noisy toilet; Bury the family pet...
She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts. She can file the taxes; Sell a house; Buy a car; Or set up a move... .....all with ONE Power of Attorney.
She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her. She reinvents her career with every PCS; Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south. And learns to call them all 'home'. She MAKES them all home.
Military Wives are somewhat hasty... They leap into: Decorating, Leadership, Volunteering, Career alternatives, Churches, And friendships. They don't have 15 years to get to know people. Their roots are short but flexible. They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.
Military Wives quickly learn to value each other: They connect over coffee, Rely on the spouse network, Accept offers of friendship and favors. Record addresses in pencil...
Military Wives have a common bond: The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique. He doesn't have a 'JOB' He has a 'MISSION' that he can't just decide to quit... He's on-call for his country 24/7. But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town! His language is foreign TDY PCS OPR SOS ACC BDU ACU BAR CIB TAD And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his. She is the long- distance link to keep them informed; the glue that holds them together.
A Military Wife has her moments: She wants to wring his neck; Dye his uniform pink; Refuse to move to Siberia; But she pulls herself together. Give her a few days, A travel brochure, A long hot bath, A pledge to the flag, A wedding picture
And she goes. She packs. She moves. She follows.
Why? What for? How come? You may think it is because she has lost her mind. But actually it is because she has lost her heart. It was stolen from her by a man, Who puts duty first, Who longs to deploy, Who salutes the flag, And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband, She will remain his military wife. And would have it no other way.

The Past 30 Days: A Novella

What a crazy, crazy month!

My good friend and college roommate, Ashley, came to visit in late March and we had a blast. She and I spent a night on the Riverwalk in San Antonio enjoying some good shopping, food, and nightlife. She also got to see a drop night, eat at a taco stand (no kidding, the best food in Del Rio comes from those shady-looking little roadside stands), and learn how to two step at Club Arriba! (another entertaining establishment, featuring an amusing variety of music- regular rotations of top 40 hip-hop/club hits, George Strait, and Mexican Cumbia.) The three of us had a lot of fun making fools of ourselves on the dance floor--but not before participating in some high-quality two-stepping lessons in our dining room via YouTube. Hey, it's the small things...

Speaking of good food and entertainment, we have two new places in Del Rio! This may not seem like news, but it is. Trust me. We have a new Mexican restaurant in town called Manuel's Steakhouse. Yes, we were shocked to see YET ANOTHER Mexican restaurant joining the ranks, but this one is different. We are told they cook food in a style more typical of what you'd find in the interior of Mexico--what native Mexicans here call "more proper" Mexican. We didn't expect to taste a difference, having fairly uneducated palates in the way of Mexican cuisine, but it was unreal. SOOO delicious. And then there's the Veranda, this really cute little wine and beer garden owned by the nicest couple. We've gone there a few Saturday evenings to sit and have a glass of wine by a campfire after dinner. The owners occasionally bring out snacks and other goodies for their guests to try, usually made by themselves or a family member, and they are always so friendly and hospitable.


For Easter, we went to Brenham to see Grandpa and Grandma Miller, and as always, had a relaxing time and ate ourselves silly. The Blue Bonnets were also in full bloom, so we went on a little photo tour. Texans are crazy--cars are parked all over the freeways while people climb up the hills alongside the road to take pictures in the flowers. As you can imagine, the police have a heyday with this.

Eric tracked to T-1s on April 5. UPT IS HALFWAY DONE!!!! He's since experienced a couple simulators and several classes on the systems in the T-1--juuuuust enough exposure so far to render him completely overwhelmed with information once again. And so, here we are...back to the "sleep, work, eat, study, repeat" routine. Since I started working full time and our schedules are a little staggered, time together (well, when we're conscious) is minimal. So, Saturdays we make sure we still know each other's names, birthdates, etc., you know--the pertinent stuff--and then we pass out. No seriously, lately, we've been taking naps of epic proportions on the weekends. Last Saturday morning Eric volunteered to work a triathalon-type race and I had to take some of our students to a community event, so we were both up and out the door by 7am. Yep, on a Saturday. We both got home around 10:30am, decided breakfast could wait till after our "quick nap" and ended up rejoining the living around 4pm. It. was. glorious. (READ: reason #527 why we do not plan on having children ANY time soon--we thoroughly and shamelessly value copious amounts of sleep.) We're also BOTH singing in the Praise Team at church almost every Sunday, which has been a lot of fun, and another great opportunity to spend time together doing something we enjoy.

I started my job on March 22, and it's been AWESOME. I teach in the middle school three days/week and work on other projects at the office Mondays and Fridays. The people are great, the organization is inspiring, and the kids are so much fun! Working full-time takes a little getting used to, though. I have come to treasure my morning cup of caffeinated coffee, which was definitely not a daily thing for me before. But, even though the end of a week brings exhaustion, it's a great feeling to love what I'm doing and to wake up every morning looking forward to the day. And, being the hyper-organized person that I am, having a solid routine for the first time in 8 months is as equally exciting to me as the job itself. :)

As far as exciting things coming up, we're saving for a car and will hopefully have another set of wheels in the driveway by mid June. (Although, the amount of time Eric spends excitedly scouring AutoTrader, you'd think we were buying next week...). We're enjoying having such a fun goal to work towards. I'll also be going home for a weekend to see my dad's graduation next month and am SO SO SO looking forward to spending time with my family--it feels like it's been forever.

We hope all is well with you and yours...to those of you whose weddings/showers/birthday parties we've missed--we send our congratulations and love; know that even though we can't be there, we're thinking of you!

xoxo

God is SO good!

This JUST in! (no seriously, I JUST got the phone call like, 2 seconds ago.)

I...HAVE...A......JOB!

I am a facilitator on Baptist Child and Family Services' Abstinence Education team. For those of you who know about TeenHEART--it's a similar program, but formally faith based and with a much larger organization. I am SOOOO excited! We've stayed faithful that all of these dead-end interviews over the last 8 months would lead me to something fitting for me, and this position--this organization--could not suit me better. I'm going to finalize everything this afternoon and then start a week from today! Thank you for all of your prayers-- they have most certainly been answered! I am soooo blessed to be starting my career in such an incredible organization with great people and a great mission. Can't wait!

:)

(More) Planes, (no) trains, and (sold!!) automobiles

First and foremost:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHASE (21) AND ALLI (18)!!! My little sibs aren't so little anymore...(sigh)

The uncharacteristically rainy days in Del Rio (hopefully) went out with a bangin' hail and lightening storm last night. We're gladly welcoming cloudless, sunny skies and warm weather as I wait (im)patiently to put out patio furniture with time to enjoy it before it's just too darn hot.

This past Saturday, Eric said goodbye to The Mistress. Yes, Roxy the motorcycle has found a new home!! I found it hard not to laugh as Eric expressed profound comfort in knowing that the buyer was equally as meticulous in his care and documentation of his vehicles. At one point he even said something about being excited to sell it to someone he knew would take great care of his precious baby--I had to remind him that, unlike pets or other adoptable belongings, motorcycles don't have feelings...nope, not even if you name them. (I don't think he believes me.) A bittersweet moment, sure, but we're both excited about being one step closer to a second car!

In other news, I will be teaching Sunday school every other week starting this Sunday. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous--it's a bigger undertaking than I initially realized--but I'm excited to work with kids and get more involved in our church. Eric is also applying to be a part of the praise team with me! Even though we met singing, we've never had an opportunity to sing together, so it will be a fun experience to do something that we both enjoy--especially since that something is what brought us together in the first place!

As the pilot training saga continues, we're learning more everyday. Of course Eric has his hands full learning how to fly and use instruments and solve emergencies and navigate, but there's so much involved outside of the cockpit as well. As we hear more about the lifestyles and communities of different airframes--their schedules, their social lives, their family lives-- our eyes are being opened to opportunities and ideas that we were not seriously considering before. I'm thankful that Eric is open-minded and willing to consider all factors and experiences. Afterall, as with all decisions in life, sometimes the pros outweigh the cons, and sometimes the cons outweigh the pros--but you won't know what's truly best for you if you focus only on one or the other. I'm a pretty lucky girl to have a husband that values my thoughts and includes me in the decision-making and daydreaming about the future of his career. We make a good team. :)

UPT--Update!

Though routes and plans changed a million times (sorry Aunt Jill!), Eric's cross country was a success. He visited several different cities--Tucson, Phoenix, Albuquerque--and got 4 great days of flying in. Now, after one more ride and an instrument check flight, Eric will be in his final block of Phase 2 training-formation! Yep, by next week he'll be flying about 6-10 feet away from another airplane for 16 different flights, doing all the things he's learned thus far--including aerobatics! He's really excited to see what formation is like, but even more excited to get through this last bit of training before tracking to T-38s or T-1s on April 1st! Time is flying down here (no pun intended!), which is a great thing because this program can get quite stressful at times. Because of uncharacteristically bad weather in Del Rio lately, Eric's class (and all others) have fallen a bit behind schedule, so they've been having to fly regularly on Saturdays and will continue to until Track--or so we're told. As you can imagine, after 12 hour days, and studying on top of that, adding a day to the already strenuous work week makes for one exhausted boy! I'm so proud of him and all of his hard work; the stamina and focus required to even get by here is commendable, and Eric is doing FAR better than just "getting by". The stress level is high lately, so your prayers that he will continue to be his dedicated, positive self are appreciated! We're confident that regardless of where he ends up for Phase 3, God's got a great future in store for his career.

As we head into a new month, some exciting things are planned. My friend and college roommate, Ashley, is coming to visit for a weekend. We're really excited that she can be here on a drop weekend so she'll get the full Laughlin experience. What's even better-we know the people who are graduating that weekend (it's always more exciting when you know the class). I also plan to show her around San Antonio and the Riverwalk on a day trip. Eric and I have also set a few goals for ourselves, and to celebrate achieving them we're hoping to plan a weekend in Fredricksburg, TX, a romantic little German town south of San Antonio. What a welcome break that will be!!

Have a wonderful week!
xoxo

This Just In...

So if you haven't heard already, next weekend Eric will be flying a plane (with an IP of course) to Phoenix, San Diego, back to Phoenix, and back home. He will be leaving me for 5 whooooole days to have way too much fun and spend some serious quality time with his good buddy, the T-6 Texan II. And since he's going to Phoenix, he'll get to visit Uncle Dean and Aunt Jill! He's pretty excited about showing off his new best friend to family! I'm super excited for him (although I wouldn't mind having my Valentine home...but oh well), because after this, we only have 6 WEEKS left in the T-6 before he tracks to the T-38 (fighters) or T-1 (heavies/tankers)!!! That may sound like a long time to you, but in UPT it's equivalent to approximately 5.2 seconds--time flies around here. Ahhh, we can't wait!

On another note...I know you may find this really hard to believe, but just humor me and give wrapping your mind around it a good try: waking up at 5a.m. to do P90X Plyometrics when you have no other reason to get up that early is no fun...and definitely not easy. UGH. Shocking, I know. My friend Annaleis and I have decided to start a workout routine together, but that is the only time she has because she works 12+ hours everyday....I think it's safe to say I'm motivated--5am?! yuck. But the nice thing is, when I shower and go back to bed for an hour or two (heehee), I wake up, have breakfast with Eric, and my exercise is already out of the way!

On my own job front, I've gotten busier. I've also started volunteering when I can't get substitute jobs. I judged an elementary school science fair last week--so stinkin' cute! I also have an interview this Friday with Baptist Child and Family Services for a position is Abstinence Education--perfect, right?! I applied with them when we first got here, but no positions were open. I'm excited about the interview, but I am going to see about volunteering there even if I don't get the job.

Exciting things are happening spiritually in the Butler house, too. It may not sound as exciting as everything else, but it's more--it makes everything that much better! We're really beginning to love our church and we're making lots of great connections with wonderful people (we were actually invited to our pastor's home for the Superbowl!).  I've joined the praise team and a women's Bible study, and we're reading together when possible. We're learning and growing so much, and it's amazing! Sharing this UPT adventure and all the excitement that comes with it, being newly married, exploring a different part of the country-- it's all great. But having God be a part of all of that and change us in the process makes it so much more fulfilling and purposeful! Growing together in our faith through all of it is the journey we're most proud of and excited about.

We hope your new year has started off better than the last!  Happy Valentine's Day!

:)

Helping Haiti

So not much is new in Del Rio lately--except that we've been proven very, very wrong; it actually CAN rain here, and hasn't stopped for 4 days. Ugh.
On the contrary, as we are all keenly aware, there is a lot going on in Haiti right now. I'm really encouraged by the fact that, as of this afternoon, corporate America has pledged over $40 million to the relief efforts there. Despite the accusatory political agendas that say our corporations are greedy and self-interested, it's nice to see our nation's biggest businesses stepping up, even in their own (relative) economic pain. If you haven't had time to educate yourself on what's happening there, please do. We will all go on with our lives like normal-- pick up the groceries like normal, wake up in our warm beds every morning, and eat from a pantry full of food. We are virtually unaffected, but these people will be dealing with this for years, emotionally and economically. No one is documenting the names of the estimated 140,000 deceased (in a country the size of Maryland), no one is taking pictures--entire families will just disappear, never to be seen or heard from again. Meanwhile, those looking for them are injured, homeless, and in need of very basic medical care and food.

I know money is tight for everyone right now, but read some of these families' stories on CNN.com, and look at what they have left of their world as they know it, and see if you can't part with $5 or $10. Or, if you tithe, consider giving that 10% to the relief efforts in Haiti or missionaries there. Resources=hope, and every little bit helps, especially in such an economically starving nation. You may not feel wealthy, and you may not be wealthy compared to your neighbor, but compared to these people, you ARE. Be thankful for everything you have--your health, your family, your home.  If you have shopping to do, consider shopping on www.goodshop.com, where up to 30% of your purchase at tons of different popular stores can go towards an organization of your choice (and there are THOUSANDS of them to choose from), and there are occasionally coupons and discounts. The Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are great places to donate for Haiti relief purposes, as they have established, efficient systems for being good stewards of your money.  Most of all, pray for these people. Matthew 18:19-20 says, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

In a place where the Christian faith is infantile we can be witness to miracles and resilient faith. You want to experience the power God has given you? Here is your chance. Will you take it?
Please pass this on. Thank you.

A Shameless Plug...

 I wrote the following little blurb for my parents' local newspaper, as well as for fliers to be posted around their town. (My baby sister is graduating this year and my mom is on the Project Grad committee!) I thought it might be worth posting to a wider audience, as it really is a great thing that communities are doing and it deserves any support you or your friends are willing to give. Our parents at Vicksburg High School go all-out, but a lot of schools in Southwest Michigan have a version of Project Graduation. And there's a high school in every town--so if they have a Project Grad program at a school near you, consider getting involved! If they don't, check out the statistics below--you could make a big difference by suggesting it. :)

It Takes a Village...

"Project what?" you say. Project Graduation! It's an elaborately-planned, no-holds-barred, all-night celebration put on by parents for the graduating seniors every year. Why do they love it? It's an opportunity to hang out with the ENTIRE class one last time to celebrate their accomplishment in a variety of awesome places. Why should you love it? It's positively reinforcing an alcohol-free way to party. Over the past 10 years, Michigan teens involved in drunk driving-related accidents has decreased by 34.9 percent, and fatalities resulting from such accidents have decreased by 46 percent (OHSP 2008). These statistics are in no small part due to great events like Project Grad. Instead of excited grads celebrating by drinking with their friends, a group of committed parents and seniors are tirelessly planning a healthier, safer way to have fun. But they can't do it alone. You may not have a senior, or even a school-aged child at all...but if you see an opportunity to contribute--giving your pop cans, attending an art fair, etc.--consider taking it knowing that you too can help make our community better, our streets safer, and the futures of our students brighter. Thank you!

Mother Nature: 1; Us: 0

If you're looking for adventure and some quality time with Murphy (made famous by "Murphy's Law"), I highly recommend driving from Del Rio, TX to the Great White North on or around Christmas. Murphy was a great tour guide, suggesting we drop the travel trailer a mere 3 hours after beginning our journey. Why, you ask? Well, unbeknownst to us, he invited Mother Nature on our road trip. She met up with us in Oklahoma City, and talk about a real Scrooge!

Mother Nature must have something against Santa Claus, family, or Christmas in general, because she used a massive amount of snow to jack-knife trailers, turn a freeway into a parking lot, and strand us at a Motel 6, making for a cozy little Christmas Eve. We had dinner from Waffle House (served to us by Santa's not-so-jolly, not-so-little, not-so-helpful helper), and a romantic late night walk to Love's truck stop a few hundred yards away for a cup of hot chocolate. It was memorable, to say the least. The next morning, Murphy went for a walk himself, and- lo and behold!- one, and only one freeway opened up in the entire state of Oklahoma, and it was the one we needed! Mother Nature made fast friends with Oklahoma, and decided to stay for Christmas, making our load considerably lighter with no trailer and no trouble the rest of the way. Christmas dinner was a beautiful spread of Wendy's frosties, burgers, and chicken nuggets over the course of a 16 hour, 3 state trek.

We finally made it around 3:30am EST, with plenty of stories--but no presents. (we had to leave them behind with the trailer!) The rest of the week was great--we enjoyed a lot of family time, three family Christmases, and took advantage of some after Christmas shopping :).   The trip back to home sweet Del Rio seemed much longer, though much less eventful.


Eric started back to the grind today, refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the last 12 weeks of Phase 2. We can't believe how fast this is going!! On April 1, we'll find out whether Eric will be training on the T-38, T-1, T-44, or helicopters. As he learns more about the missions and lifestyles of the planes in each track, we're getting more and more excited for all the different places and possibilities ahead. Regardless of what track or plane, we're pretty sure an overseas assignment is our first choice for the next location--but that's a long way off.

I have an interview tomorrow with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a position that fits me sooo well! So in faith I am telling you that my next post will be about my amazing interview and my new job as the Assistant Director of Academic Support. I'm so very excited for this opportunity--and to get away from substitute teaching!

Until next time... :)